Crews work to contain Fort Hood wildfires

Apr. 29, 2014 - 05:14PM
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Two fires burning in and near training ranges at Fort Hood, Texas, are 30 percent contained and donít threaten any buildings or people at present, Fort Hood Fire Chief Billy Rhoads said Tuesday.

The fires cover almost 1,000 acres, Rhoads said, according to a news release from the installation. One of the fires, north of the baseís Blackwell Multi-use Range, began Monday and spread to about 500 acres. The second is on the Lone Star Range; no size or other details of that blaze were made available.

Local media reported the fires were caused by training exercises and that heavy winds had prevented firefighters from using helicopters to fight the fire. Base public affairs personnel did not immediately return calls and emails seeking comment.

There have been no injuries to base personnel or firefighters, Rhoads said, and that fire breaks are being used to limit the blazeís spread.

Local fire crews are preparing for a busy wildfire season, the Fort Hood Herald newspaper reported earlier this month. Two fires covering 167 acres were triggered March 18 by separate training exercises, the paper reported.